It has been a while since I last posted here. I replaced the vacuum pump, and upon starting the car noticed it had a pronounced ticking from the vacuum pump area. Before replacing the pump, I measured the end play of the intermediate shaft and the reading was twice the maximum specification. I believe this excessive end play resulted in failure of the original vacuum pump and left unchecked, will destroy the replacement.

Reading an old thread here, one fellow mentioned removing the timing device by prying the chain off the timing device with screwdrivers. I am considering this option to avoid removing the injection pump. What I wish to do is remove tension from the chain (remove tensioner bolt), and if necessary, remove the camshaft sprocket, so that the chain can easily be removed from the timing device. From there, it seems replacing the intermediate shaft bushing would be straightforward.

What says the council? I realize removing the injection pump is the recommended procedure, but if one fellow removed the timing device from the front, so can I. However, he never posted the results of his work, so maybe he did NOT get the timing device reinstalled.

Jurgen